A Chinese Coast Guard vessel (R) fires its water cannon at the Philippine’s BRP Datu Pagbuaya near Philippine occupied Thitu island, locally called Pag-asa island, at the South China Sea on Oct. 12, 2025. Philippine Coast Guard via AP
A Chinese coast guard ship struck a Philippine government vessel on Oct. 12 in disputed waters in the South China Sea. The Chinese ship fired its water cannon at Philippine vessels and shortly afterward struck the stern of one of the vessels.
The ship that was hit, the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, suffered minor structural damage from the impact, and no crew members were injured in the collision. The vessel is operated by the Bureau of Fisheries to support Filipino fishermen.
